1.13. What does it mean if a Mac installer says it "is damaged and can't be opened"?

If you are working on Mac OS X 10.9.2 or newer, you may see a message about a software installer being damaged when you try to launch it. e.g. saying the software "is damaged and can't be opened. You should eject the disk image" or that the software "is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash."

Newer Mac systems include a security setting that can block the installation of apps downloaded from places other than the Mac App Store. To install QIAGEN software, you need to allow apps downloaded from identified developers as well the Mac App Store. Do this by adjusting your security settings:

Go to System Preferences | Security & Privacy

Click on the padlock icon at the lower-left corner to enable you to make changes.

Choose "App Store and identified developers"

We sign our software with a Developer ID from Apple. With the above setting chosen, you should be able to install our software. You will see a message warning you that the software has been downloaded from the internet, and asking if you wish to open it. This is expected, and you can proceed with installing the software.

Security settings affect your whole system. If you generally do not want to allow apps downloaded from anywhere except the App Store, then change the security settings back to the desired setting after you have finished installing your QIAGEN software.

If you continue to see this issue with the "Allow apps downloaded from" option set to "App Store and identified developers", please report this problem by emailing AdvancedGenomicsSupport@qiagen.com Please include the full name of the installer, when you downloaded it and the URL of the page you visited to download it from.

If you wish to proceed with installation anyway

If you are certain you obtained the installer via official channels and thus wish to proceed with installation anyway, information on how to do so is below.

Mac OS X 10.9.2 to 10.11.x

In Mac OS X 10.9.2 and newer, there is a security setting that must be changed so that the downloaded installer can be opened. To change this setting on Mac 10.9.2 through 10.11.x, please take the following steps:

Go to System Preferences | Security & Privacy

Click on the padlock icon at the lower-left corner to to enable you to make changes.

Select the option for Allow apps downloaded from: to Anywhere

Close the security settings window

Double click on the installer file again and click the Open button when prompted.

We recommend reverting your security settings after installation of the software is complete.

Mac OS Sierra 10.12.x

The premise is the same as shown for Mac OS 10.9.2 through 10.11.x except that the steps to enable the "Anywhere" option are different.

If you view your security settings under System Preferences | Security & Privacy, you will see there is no Anywhere option.

To enable the "Anywhere" option, run the following command in a terminal:

sudo spctl --master-disable

If you go back to System Preferences | Security & Privacy, you will see the Anywhere option enabled. Unlock the edit option by clicking on the padlock icon at the bottom of the window to change to Anywhere option.

At this point, you should be able to install the software.

This security setting affects your whole system. To reinstate the earlier security policy, run the following after the software is installed: